GROUP MEMBERS (BATCH 3C2)

 ARYAN KUSHWAHA
(2018UCE1149)

 SOMESH CHOUDHARY
(2018UCE1138)

 VIVEK KUMAR
(2018UCE1121)

 AYUSH VERMA
(2018UCE1128)

 KIRTI KUMAR
(2018UCE1124)

GEOTECHNICAL  AYUSH GOYAL

(2018UCE1139)

ENGINEERING
6 Semester
 MALAVIYA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY JAIPUR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

CEP328

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING (INDEX)

S.NO. EXPERIMENT NAME PAGE NO.

1 Determination shear strength 8-11

parameters using Triaxial test

2 Determination shear strength 12-14

parameters using Vane shear test

3 Swelling pressure determination 15-18

4 Determination of differential free 19-20

swell.

5 Determination of pH value of soils 21-23

6 Determination of total soluble 24-25

sulphates.

7 Determination of allowable 26-29

bearing pressure using Standard
Penetration

MNIT Jaipur. Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory 1

 MALAVIYA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY JAIPUR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

Vision, Mission and Quality Policy of the Institute

Vision Statement:
To create a centre for imparting technical education of international standards and conduct research
at the cutting edge of technology to meet the current and future challenges of technological
development.

Mission Statement:
To create technical manpower for meeting the current and future demands of industry: To
recognize education and research in close interaction with industry with emphasis on the
development of leadership qualities in the young men and women entering the portals of the
Institute with sensitivity to social development and eye for opportunities for growth in the
international perspective.

Key Objective:
MNIT shall strive to impart knowledge in such a manner as to achieve total satisfaction of students,
parents, employers, and the society.

Institute Motto:
योग: कमसु कौशलम

MNIT Jaipur. Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory 2

 MALAVIYA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY JAIPUR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

Vision and Mission of the Department

Vision:
To serve the nation by providing high quality engineering education that enables students to get a
profession that can improve the civil infrastructure and social welfare.

Mission:
To create enabling environment for excellent teaching, learning and research in order to produce
leading entrepreneurs and innovators in the field of civil engineering for sustainable development.

MNIT Jaipur. Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory 3

 MALAVIYA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY JAIPUR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

Programme Educational Objectives (PEOs) for UG Programme

To prepare students to get employment, profession and/or to pursue Post graduation

PEO 1 and research in civil engineering discipline in particular and allied engineering
disciplines in general.

To provide students a solid foundation in mathematical, scientific and engineering

PEO 2 fundamentals required to formulate, analyse and solve civil engineering related
problems.

To prepare the students to acquire the knowledge in breadth in order to solve

mathematical problems related to analysis and design of various systems pertaining
PEO 3
to Civil Engineering Infrastructure in order to utilize their skills to prepare cost
estimates and activities related to Civil Engineering projects.

To inculcate ethical practices in students and to establish understanding of

PEO 4
professionalism, safety, sustainability, their duties and contribution to the society.

To provide students with academic environment that makes them aware of excellence
PEO 5 and to enable them to understand the significance of life-long learning in global
perspective.

Programme Outcomes (POs) for UG Programme

A graduate should able to give Technical & Engineering solution for Civil Engineering
PO1
problems using knowledge of science, mathematics etc.

The Civil Engineering Graduate should able to use operation research and applied
PO2
mathematics in finding solution and analysis of Engineering problems.

MNIT Jaipur. Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory 4

 MALAVIYA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY JAIPUR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

Passing out Civil Engineer should able to design building structure, Roads, sewage and
PO3 water supply network and other component of infrastructure system considering
environmental, safety and social aspects.

A Civil Engineer should able to use latest research technological tool and analyse large
PO4
engineering data for providing solution of engineering problems.

A Graduate should able to use latest technology, software like GIS, Stadd etc. to solve
PO5
complex engineering activities.

The engineer should inculcate the knowledge regarding social, health, legal and cultural
PO6
issues required for professional engineering skills.

The engineer should able to provide environmental friendly and sustainable Infrastructure
PO7
development.

A graduate engineer during his course of study should inbuilt social ethics and
PO8
professionalism and should apply them in his carrier.

A graduate should in heritage leadership qualities whenever working in a group while

PO9
handling multi disciplining engineering projects.

A graduate engineer should able to compile Detailed Project Report and give technical
PO10
presentations acquiring good communication skills during course of study.

Graduate should able to handle Civil Engineering Projects involving multidisciplinary

PO11
aspects/ streams including its financial cost estimation etc.

MNIT Jaipur. Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory 5

 MALAVIYA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY JAIPUR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

Graduate should have aptitude for learning new innovative technologies in civil
PO12
Engineering.

MNIT Jaipur. Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory 6

 MALAVIYA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY JAIPUR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

COURSE OUTCOMES

CEP 309: SOIL MECHANICS LABORATORY

CO1 Students would be able to identify and determine the basic engineering properties of soil.
CO2 Learned the procedure for experimental investigations required for classification of the
soils.
CO3 Learned experimental methods of measurement of compaction, permeability and
strength characteristics of soils.

CEP 328: GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

CO1 Understand and estimate different soil engineering properties like shear strength, swelling
pressure, free swell.
CO2 Determine allowable bearing pressure, unconfined compressive strength and other
properties of rocks.
CO3 Demonstrate the experimental determination of soluble salts and sulphates.

MNIT Jaipur. Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory 7

 MALAVIYA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY JAIPUR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

1. TRIAXIAL COMPRESSION TEST

OBJECTIVE: To determine shear strength parameters (c and ϕ) of soil using triaxial compression
test (undrained).

THEORY:
Concept
A cylindrical soil specimen is subjected to three compressive stresses in mutually perpendicular
directions and one of these three stresses being increased until specimen fails in shear. Initially, a
confining pressure (σ3) is applied through water around the specimen in an impermeable
membrane. The vertical stress becomes major principal stress (σ1) while the confining pressure σ3
acts in other two principal directions. The intermediate principal and minor principal stresses are
equal to each other. Deviator stress (σd) is the difference of σ1 and σ3, acts on specimen while its
shear deformation.

1. A loading frame in which the load is applied by yoke acting through an elastic
dynamometer, more commonly called a proving ring which used to measure the load. The
frame is operated at a constant rate by a geared screw jack. It is preferable for the machine
to be motor driven, by a small electric motor.
2. A hydraulic pressure apparatus including an air compressor and water reservoir in which
air under pressure acting on the water raises it to the required pressure, together with the
necessary control valves and pressure dials.

MNIT Jaipur. Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory 8

 MALAVIYA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY JAIPUR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

3. A triaxial cell to take 3.8 cm diameter and 7.6 cm long samples, in which the sample can
be subjected to an all-round hydrostatic pressure, together with a vertical compression load
acting through a piston. The vertical load from the piston acts on a pressure cap. The cell
is usually designed with a non-ferrous metal top and base connected by tension rods and
with walls formed of Perspex.

APPARATUS REQUIRED
1. 3.8 cm (1.5 inch) internal diameter 12.5 cm (5 inches) long sample tubes
2. Rubber O-rings, Stop clock
3. An open ended cylindrical section former, 3.8 cm inside diameter fitted with a small rubber
tube on its side
4. Moisture content test apparatus
5. Balance of 250 gm capacity and accurate to 0.01 gm
6. Latex membrane
7. Glass platens

PROCEDURE:
1. The sample is placed in the compression machine and a pressure plate is placed on the top.
Care must be taken to prevent any part of the machine or cell from jogging the sample
while it is being setup, for example, by knocking against this bottom of the loading piston.
The probable strength of the sample is estimated and a suitable proving ring selected and
fitted to the machine.
2. The cell must be properly set up and uniformly clamped down to prevent leakage of
pressure during the test, making sure first that the sample is properly sealed with its end
caps and rings (rubber) in position and that the sealing rings for the cell are also correctly
placed.
3. When the sample is setup water is admitted and the cell is filled until water escapes from
the bleed valve, at the top, which is then closed.

MNIT Jaipur. Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory 9

 MALAVIYA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY JAIPUR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

4. The air pressure in the reservoir is then increased to raise the hydrostatic pressure in the
required amount (say 100 kPa, 150 kPa and 300 kPa or100kPa, 200 kPa and 300 kPa as
per the depth where the sample is brought and the application requirements). The pressure
gauge must be watched during the test and any necessary adjustments must be made to
keep the pressure constant.
5. The handle wheel of the screw jack is rotated until the underside of the hemispherical
seating of the proving ring, through which the loading is applied, just touches the cell
piston.
6. The piston is then moved down mechanically until it is just in touch with the pressure plate
on the top of the sample, and the proving ring seating is again brought into contact for the
beginning of the test.

OBSERVATION AND CALCULATION:

The machine is set in motion (or if hand operated the hand wheel is turned at a constant rate) to
give a rate of strain 0.1 % to 1 % per minute. At particular intervals of strain, dial gauge readings
and the corresponding proving ring readings are taken, and the corresponding load is determined
using proving ring constant. The experiment is stopped at the strain dial gauge reading for 20 %
of length of the sample or 20 % strain.

MNIT Jaipur. Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory 10

 MALAVIYA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY JAIPUR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

GENERAL REMARKS:

1. It is assumed that the volume of the sample remains constant and that the area of the sample
increases uniformly as the length decreases. The calculation of the stress is based on this
new area at failure, by direct calculation, using the proving ring constant and the new area
of the sample. By constructing a chart relating strain readings, from the proving ring,
directly to the corresponding stress.
2. The strain and corresponding stress is plotted with stress abscissa and curve is drawn. The
maximum compressive stress at failure and the corresponding strain and cell pressure are
found out.
3. The stress results of the series of triaxial tests at increasing cell pressure are plotted as a
Modified failure envelope using p = (σ1+σ3)/2 as abscissa and q = (σ1-σ3)/2 as ordinate. In
this diagram a best fit line is plotted with in which the slope represents the value of ψ while
the intercept represents the value of a.
4. From the relation,

sinϕ = tan ψ

a = c* cosϕ

The value of cohesion, c and the angle of shearing resistance, ϕ will be determined as the
soil shear strength parameters.

APPLICATION
The standard unconsolidated undrained test is compression test, in which the soil specimen is
subjected under isotropic all round pressure in the triaxial cell before failure is brought about by
increasing the major principal stress. It is performed without measurement of pore pressure at in-
situ conditions.

MNIT Jaipur. Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory 11

 MALAVIYA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY JAIPUR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

2. VANE SHEAR TEST

OBJECTIVE:To determine the undrained shear strength, of a given cohesive soil using
laboratory vane shear apparatus.

THEORY: The vane shear test apparatus consists of four stainless steel blades fixed at right
angle to each other and firmly attached to a high tensile steel rod. The length of the vane is
usually kept equal to twice its overall width. The diameters and length of the stainless steel rod
were limited to 2.5mm and 60mm respectively. At this time, the soil fails in shear on a
cylindrical surface around the vane. The rotation is usually continued after shearing and the
torque is measured to estimate the remoulded shear strength. Vane shear test can be used as a
reliable in-situ test for determining the shear strength of soft-sensitive clays. The vane may be
regarded as a method to be used under the following conditions.

1. Where the clay is deep, normally consolidated and sensitive.

2. Where only the undrained shear strength is required

APPARATUS REQUIRED
1. Laboratory vane shear apparatus.

2. Marble plate or glass plate

3. Spatula
4. Balance
5. Thermostatically controlled hot air oven
6. Containers for moisture content determination.
7. Wash bottle containing distilled water.
8. 425 micron IS sieve.

PROCEDURE

MNIT Jaipur. Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory 12

 MALAVIYA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY JAIPUR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

1. Mix the soil at a known water content and transfer it into the test mould.

2. Mount the mould containing the soil specimen on the base of the vane shear
apparatus and fix it securely to the base.
3. Lower the vanes into the specimen to their full length gradually with minimum
disturbance to the specimen so that the top of the vane is at least 10 mm below the
top of the specimen and note down the initial reading of the torque indicator.
4. Rotate the vane at an uniform rate till the specimen fails. Note down the final
reading of torque indicator.
5. Calculate the undrained shear strength of the given soil and report it.

CALCULATION

1. Diameter of the vane (d) = 12 cm

2. Height of the vane (H) = 10 cm

3. Spring constant (K) = 6 kgf-cm

4. Type of soil = sandy soil

5. Water content determination:

FOR ONE WAY SHAER:-

S.N. INITIAL FINAL DIFF. T=(Spring G=1/π(D2H/2+ S=T*G Avg. Spring

READING READIN (DEG const*diff.)/180 D3/12) Kg/cm2 ‘S’ const.
(DEGREE G ) Kg/cm2 Kg-cm
) (DEGREE
)

MNIT Jaipur. Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory 13

 MALAVIYA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY JAIPUR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

1 60 50 10 0.33 0.000368 0.000122 .000122 6

FOR TWO WAY SHEAR:-

S.N. INITIAL FINAL DIFF. T=(Spring G=1/π(D2H/2+ S=T*G Avg. Spring

READING READIN (DEG const*diff.)/180 D3/6) Kg/cm2 ‘S’ const.
(DEGREE G ) Kg/cm2 Kg-cm
) (DEGREE
)
1 56 46 10 0.33 0.000316 0.000104 .000104 6

RESULT:-
Average shear stress for one way shear is =12.2 pa
Average shear stress for two way shear is =10.4 pa

MNIT Jaipur. Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory 14

 MALAVIYA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY JAIPUR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

3. SWELL PRESSURE TEST

OBJECTIVE: To determine the swell pressure of soil.

THEORY:
The expansive clays increase in their volume when they come in contact with water owing to
surface properties of these clay types. The pressure which the expansive soil exerts , if it is not
allowed to swell or the volume change of the soil is arrested , is known as Swelling Pressure of
Soil. The swelling pressure is dependent upon several factors namely (a) the type and amount of
clay in the soil and the nature of the clay mineral, (b) the initial water content and dry density, (c)
the nature of pore fluid, (d) the stress history of the soil including the confining pressure and (e)
drying and wetting cycles to which the soils have been subjected to.

A soil with high swell pressure is considered “unsuitable” for use as embankment fill material and
in case the sub-soil is having high swell pressure then suitable “ground improvement measures”
may be needed before constructing embankment on such soil. One of the methods for constructing
embankments on expansive soils is to lay a CNS (non-swelling clay) layer at the base of the
embankment, to isolate the sub-soil from the moisture (mainly rain water) coming in vertically
downwards direction. For any clay to be classified as “CNS (non-swelling clay)”, it should not
have swell pressure more than the specified value (normally 0.5 kg/m2).

In laboratory, one dimensional swelling pressure test is conducted using either fixed or the floating
rings on both undisturbed and re-moulded soils in the partially saturated condition. Two methods
are employed, namely, “consolidometer method” in which the volume change of the soil is
permitted and the corresponding pressure required to bring back the soil to its original volume is
measured and “constant volume method” in which the volume change is prevented and the
consequent pressure is measured.

MNIT Jaipur. Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory 15

 MALAVIYA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY JAIPUR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

APPARATUS REQUIRED
1. Consolidometer

PROCEDURE
1. Preparation of Specimen from Undisturbed Soil Samples: Clean and weigh the empty
container. Cut-off the specimen either from undisturbed tube sample or from block
sample, the latter generally being more representative of the field conditions. Remove
about 30mm height of soil from one end of the soil sample. Gradually insert the
consolidation ring in the sample by pressing with hands and carefully removing the
material around the ring. The soil specimen so cut shall project as far as 10mm on either
side of the ring. Then trim the specimen smooth and flush with the top and bottom of the
ring. Wipe the container ring clear of any soil sticking to the outside and weigh again
with the soil. Place lids on cups.
2. The soil sample shall be compacted to the desired (field) density and water content in a
standard compaction proctor mould.Gently swirl cups to form soil slurry.
3. Saturate the porous stones by boiling in distilled water for at least 15 minutes and
moisten all surfaces of the consolidometer which are to be enclosed. Assemble the
consolidometer with the soil specimen (in the ring) and porous stones at top and bottom
of the specimen, providing a wet filter paper between the soil specimen and the porous
stone. Then position the loading block centrally on the top porous stone.Standardize pH
meter using pH 7 and 4.
4. Mount this assembly on the loading frame such that load applied is transmitted to the soil
specimen through the loading cap.Record pH to the nearest 0.01.
5. In the case of the lever loading system, the apparatus shall be properly counter-balanced.
If a jack with load measurements by platform scales is used as the loading systems the
tare weight with the empty consolidation apparatus, excluding those parts which will be
on top of the soil specimen, which rest on the platform shall be determined before filling
the ring with the soil and this tare weight shall be added to the computed scale loads
required to give the desired pressures at the time of loading the soil specimen.

MNIT Jaipur. Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory 16

 MALAVIYA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY JAIPUR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

6. Screw the holder with the dial gauge to record the progressive vertical heave of the
specimen under no load
7. Place initial setting load of 50 gf/cm2 (this includes weight of the porous stone and the
loading pad) on the loading hanger and note initial reading of the dial gauge.
8. Connect the system to a water reservoir with the level of water in the reservoir being at
about the same level as the soil specimen and allow water to flow in the sample. Then
allow the soil to swell.
9. Record the free swell readings shown by the dial gauge under the seating load at different
time intervals. The dial gauge readings shall be taken till equilibrium is reached. This is
ensured by making a plot of swelling dial reading versus time in hours, which plot
becomes asymptotic with abscissa (time scale). The equilibrium swelling is normally
reached over a period of 6 to 7 days in general for all expansive soils.
10. Then subject the swollen sample to consolidation under different pressures. Record the
compression dial readings till the dial readings attain a steady state for each load applied
over the specimen. The consolidation loads shall be applied till the specimen attains its
original volume.

CALCULATIONS

The observed swelling dial reading recorded shall be plotted with elapsed time as
abscissa and swelling dial reading as ordinates on natural scale. A smooth curve shall be
drawn joining these points. If the curve so drawn becomes asymptotic with the abscissa,
the swelling has reached its maximum and swelling phase shall be stopped, and the
consolidation phase shall be started. The compression readings shall be tabulated as in
Table 3 and a plot of change in thickness of expanded specimen as ordinates and
consolidation pressure applied as abscissa in semi-logarithmic scale shall be made. The

MNIT Jaipur. Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory 17

 MALAVIYA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY JAIPUR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

swelling pressure exerted by the soil specimen under zero swelling condition shall be
obtained by interpolation and expressed in k N/m2

MNIT Jaipur. Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory 18

 MALAVIYA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY JAIPUR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

4. DETERMINATION OF FREE SWELL INDEX OF SOIL SAMPLES

OBJECTIVE: To determine of free swell index of soil sample

THEORY: Free swell or differential free swell, also termed as free swell index, is the increase in
volume of soil without any external constraint when subjected to submergence in water.

It is determined by the following way as per IS: 2720 (Part XL) - 1977

APPARATUS REQUIRED
1. IS Sieve of size 425μm
2. Oven
3. Balance, with an accuracy of 0.01g.
4. Graduated glass cylinder- 2 nos., each of 100ml capacity.

PROCEDURE
1. Take two specimens of 10g each of pulverised soil passing through 425μm IS Sieve and
oven-dry
2. Pour each soil specimen into a graduated glass cylinder of 100ml capacity.
3. Pour distilled water in one and kerosene oil in the other cylinder upto 100ml mark.
4. Remove entrapped air by gently shaking or stirring with a glass rod
5. Allow the suspension to attain the state of equilibrium (for not less than 24hrs.).
6. Final volume of soil in each of the cylinder should be read out.

MNIT Jaipur. Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory 19

 MALAVIYA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY JAIPUR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

CALCULATION

Free swell index=((110-106)/106)*100=3.8%

RESULT
free swell index of soil sample is =3.8%

MNIT Jaipur. Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory 20

 MALAVIYA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY JAIPUR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

5. DETERMINATION OF PH OF A SOIL SAMPLE

OBJECTIVE: To determine the Ph of a given soil sample (By Ph Meter)

THEORY:
Soil pH is a measure of the hydrogen ion activity in soil solution. This measure is generally
considered an index of the acid or base intensity of a soil. The pH reading is a product of complex
electrode behavior with the soil suspension and differences in soil:solution ratio, electrolyte
concentration of the soil suspension, and spatial placement of the electrode can affect this reading
(Mclean 1982). Soil acidity has a direct effect on the plant and is a major factor affecting nutrient
availability to plants.
APPARATUS REQUIRED
2. pH meter
3. Extraction cups and lids
4. Deionized water

PROCEDURE
11. Weigh 15 g field moist soil into 2 extraction cups.
12. Place lids on cups.
13. Add 30 ml of deionized water.
14. Gently swirl cups to form soil slurry.
15. Remove caps at least 30 minutes before measuring pH.
16. Standardize pH meter using pH 7 and 4.
17. Gently swirl the soil slurry while taking measurement.
18. Record pH to the nearest 0.01.

MNIT Jaipur. Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory 21

 MALAVIYA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY JAIPUR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

19. Recheck standard buffer concentrations every 10 to 12 samples. Recalibrate meter as

needed.

CALIBRATION AND USE OF Ph METER

1. Put pH buffer solutions in 50 mL beakers. Have four 100 ml beakers on hand for
rinsing the electrode and a squirt bottle filled with nanopure water.
2. Remove the electrode from the storage buffer and remove the small cap from the fill
hole (on the side of the electrode near the top). Rinse the tip of the electrode liberally
with deionized water now and each time it is removed from a solution.
3. Press "MODE" to select pH and press "CAL" to start the calibration sequence. The
prompt display will alternate between "< 1PT CAL" and "2PT CAL >".
4. Press the black button to the right of the display for 2-point calibration.
5. The prompt will read "CAL 1 >". If the displayed buffer value reads "7.00", press the
right button indicated by the flashing ">". If not, enter "7.00" on the keypad, then
press the indicated button. The readout will show the value of the first buffer and the
prompt will read "CAL 1 = "
6. The prompt display will then read "CAL 2 >". Proceed as above (Step 4), entering
"4.00". The readout will show the value of the second buffer and the prompt will read
"CAL 2 =".
7. The prompt will then flash between quot;MEASURE" and "CAL 1". Rinse the
electrode and place the electrode in the pH 7 buffer, and press the orange "=" button
to start the measurement. Do not place electrode against the bottom of the cup; this
will affect the reading.

CALCULATIONS

MNIT Jaipur. Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory 22

 MALAVIYA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY JAIPUR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

The value displayed is read directly as pH. The temperature of the samples and calibration buffers
should be identical to ensure accuracy. Record the sample temperature with the pH value obtained.
Report the pH of the soil to the first decimal place. Specify the medium used (water or calcium
chloride) for each pH measurement.

RESULT: Ph of soil is 6.2

MNIT Jaipur. Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory 23

 MALAVIYA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY JAIPUR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

6. TOTAL SOLUBLE SULPHATES IN SOIL

OBJECTIVE: To determine the total soluble sulphates in soils

THEORY: Reagents-

a. Buffer solution A: Dissolve 30 g magnesium chloride, MgCl 2.6H2O, 5 g sodium acetate,

CH3COONa.3H2O, 1.0 g potassium nitrate, KNO3, and 20 mL acetic acid, CH3COOH (99%), in
500 mL distilled water and make up to 1000 mL. (We can decrease the conc. of each of these
chemicals in same proportions.)

b. Buffer solution B (required when the sulphate concentration is less than 10 mg/L): Dissolve 30 g
MgCl2.6H2O, 5 g CH3COONa.3H2O, 1.0 g KNO3, 0.111 g sodium sulfate, Na2SO4,(why it has been
added) & 20 mL acetic acid (99%) in 500 mL distilled water and make up to 1000 mL.(typically waters
having low hardness tend to have low sulphates. In our case the tap water has medium hardness.
Hardness <60 is classified as low. Sulphate is present with cations like Ca n Mg which are responsible
for hardness.)

c. Barium chloride (BaCl2), crystals, 20 to 30 mesh: In standardization, uniform turbidity is produced

with this mesh range and the appropriate buffer.

d. Standard sulfate solution:Dissolve 0.1479 g anhydrous Na2SO4 in distilled water and dilute to 1000
mL.

APPARATUS REQUIRED:

1. Analytical balance of sensitivity 0.001 gram.

2. Glass beakers 2 nos of 150 ml capacity.
3. Glass funnel of 6 cm diameter.
4. Measuring flasks one of 100 ml and two of 500 ml capacity.
5. Burette 2 nos of 25 ml with 1/20 ml graduation.
6. Conical flasks 6 nos of 150 ml capacity.

MNIT Jaipur. Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory 24

 MALAVIYA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY JAIPUR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

7. Pipette 10 ml.
8. Filter papers.
9. Heating equipment.
10. Thermostatically controlled oven of capacity up to 250°C.
11. Reagents
12. Barium Chloride solution (N/4) – Dissolve 30.54 gm of barium chloride in one liter of
distilled water.
13. potassium Chromate (N/4) – Dissolve 24.275 gm of potassium chromate in a small amount of
distilled water and add a few drops of Silver Nitrate solution to remove any chloride, filter
and dilute to 250 ml.
14. Silver Nitrate Indicator solution (0.5%) – Dissolve 500 mg of silver nitrate in 100 ml of
distilled water.
15. Dilute solution of Ammonium Hydroxide Specific Gravity 0.888).
16. Mix Ammonium Hydroxide and distilled water in the ratio of 1: 2 (One part of Ammonia and
two parts of distilled water).
17. Concentrated Hydrochloric acid (Specific Gravity 1.11)

PROCEDURE:

1. .20ml sample in a cylindrical flask ,adding 1 ml 1N HCL and 1 ml gelatin and

diluted to 100ml
2. Sample is taken in cuvette and analysed in spectrophotometer
3. Turbidity in terms of NTU is noted down
PRECAUTIONS
1. Pure chemicals and distilled water shall only be used in the test.Pure chemicals shall mean
chemicals that do not contain impurities that affect the results of analysis
2. Pure chemicals shall mean chemicals that do not contain impurities that affect the results of
analysis
RESULT- The sulphate concentration in given sample of soil is 43.13 mg/l

MNIT Jaipur. Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory 25

 MALAVIYA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY JAIPUR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

EXPERIMENT 7.
DEMONSTRATION OF STANDARD PENETRATION TEST

OBJECTIVE: To obtain information on the geotechnical engineering properties of soil using

standard penetration test.

THEORY: The in situ tests in the field have the advantage of testing the soils in their natural,
undisturbed condition. Laboratory tests, on the other hand, make use of small size samples
obtained from boreholes through samplers and therefore the reliability of these depends on the
quality of the so called ‘undisturbed' samples. Further, obtaining undisturbed samples from non-
cohesive, granular soils is not easy, if not impossible. Therefore, it is common practice to rely
more on laboratory tests where cohesive soils are concerned. Further, in such soils, the field tests
being short duration tests, fail to yield meaningful consolidation settlement data in any case. Where
the subsoil strata are essentially non-cohesive in character, the bias is most definitely towards field
tests. The data from field tests is used in empirical, but time-tested correlations to predict
settlement of foundations.

The standard penetration test is carried out in a borehole, while the DCPT and SCPT are carried
out without a borehole. All the three tests measure the resistance of the soil strata to penetration
by a penetrometer. Useful empirical correlations between penetration resistance and soil properties
are available for use in foundation design. This is the most extensively used penetrometer test and
employs a split-spoon sampler, which consists of a driving shoe, a split-barrel of circular cross-
section which is longitudinally split into two parts and a coupling. IS: 2131-1981 gives the standard
for carrying out the test.

PROCEDURE

1. The borehole is advanced to the required depth and the bottom cleaned.
2. The split-spoon sampler, attached to standard drill rods of required length is lowered into
the borehole and rested at the bottom.

MNIT Jaipur. Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory 26

 MALAVIYA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY JAIPUR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

3. The split-spoon sampler is driven into the soil for a distance of 450mm by blows of a drop
hammer (monkey) of 65 kg falling vertically and freely from a height of 750 mm. The
number of blows required to penetrate every 150 mm is recorded while driving the sampler.
The number of blows required for the last 300 mm of penetration is added together and
recorded as the N value at that particular depth of the borehole. The number of blows
required to effect the first 150mm of penetration, called the seating drive, is disregarded.
4. The split-spoon sampler is then withdrawn and is detached from the drill rods. The split-
barrel is disconnected from the cutting shoe and the coupling. The soil sample collected
inside the split barrel is carefully collected so as to preserve the natural moisture content
and transported to the laboratory for tests. Sometimes, a thin liner is inserted within the
split-barrel so that at the end of the SPT, the liner containing the soil sample is sealed with
molten wax at both its ends before it is taken away to the laboratory.
5. The SPT is carried out at every 0.75 m vertical intervals in a borehole. This can be increased
to 1.50 m if the depth of borehole is large. Due to the presence of boulders or rocks, it may
not be possible to drive the sampler to a distance of 450 mm. In such a case, the N value
can be recorded for the first 300 mm penetration. The boring log shows refusal and the test
is halted if
● 50 blows are required for any 150mm penetration
● 100 blows are required for 300m penetration
● 10 successive blows produce no advance.

PRECAUTIONS

1. The drill rods should be of standard specification and should not be in bent condition.
2. The split spoon sampler must be in good condition and the cutting shoe must be free
from wear and tear.
3. The drop hammer must be of the right weight and the fall should be free, frictionless
and vertical.

MNIT Jaipur. Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory 27

 MALAVIYA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY JAIPUR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

4. The height of fall must be exactly 750 mm. Any change from this will seriously affect
the N value.
5. The bottom of the borehole must be properly cleaned before the test is carried out. If
this is not done, the test gets carried out in the loose, disturbed soil and not in the
undisturbed soil.
6. When a casing is used in borehole, it should be ensured that the casing is driven just
short of the level at which the SPT is to be carried out. Otherwise, the test gets carried
out in a soil plug enclosed at the bottom of the casing.
7. When the test is carried out in a sandy soil below the water table, it must be ensured
that the water level in the borehole is always maintained slightly above the ground
water level. If the water level in the borehole is lower than the ground water level,
‘quick' condition may develop in the soil and very low N values may be recorded.
8. In spite of all these imperfections, SPT is still extensively used because the test is
simple and relatively economical.
9. It is the only test that provides representative soil samples both for visual inspection in
the field and for natural moisture content and classification tests in the laboratory.

SPT values obtained in the field for sand have to be corrected before they are used in empirical
correlations and design charts. IS: 2131-1981 recommends that the field value of N be corrected
for two effects, namely, (a) effect of overburden pressure, and (b) effect of dilatancy

a) Correction for overburden pressure: Several investigators have found that the
penetration resistance or the N value in a granular soil is influenced by the overburden
pressure. Of two granular soils possessing the same relative density but having different
confining pressures, the one with a higher confining pressure gives a higher N value. Since
the confining pressure (which is directly proportional to the overburden pressure) increases
with depth, the N values at shallow depths are underestimated and the N values at larger
depths are overestimated. To allow for this, N values recorded from field tests at different
effective overburden pressures are corrected to a standard effective overburden pressure.
The corrected N values given by

MNIT Jaipur. Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory 28

 MALAVIYA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY JAIPUR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY

in which N’ corrected value of observed N; CN = correction factor for overburden pressure.

b) Correction for dilatancy: Di1atancy correction is to be applied when N’ obtained after

overburden correction, exceeds 15 in saturated fine sands and silts. IS: 2131-1981
incorporates the Terzaghi and Peck recommended dilatancy correction (when N’> 15)
using the equation

Where, N’’ = final correctedvalue to be used in design chart

If N’ ≤ 15, N’’ = N’

N’> 15 is an indication of a dense sand. In such a soil, the fast rate of application of shear
through the blows of a drop hammer, is likely to induce negative pore water pressure in a
saturated fine sand under undrained condition of loading. Consequently, a transient
increase in shear resistance will occur, leading to a SPT value higher than the actual one.

MNIT Jaipur. Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory 29